Barney Harwood, Blue Peter’s new recruit, has a lot to live up to. Not even a mischievous baby elephant could put Valerie Singleton off her game. Her Rada-sculpted vowels, coiffed dark hair and charismatic manner made her one of the show’s most enduring stars. She joined in 1962, forming part of a classic line-up with John Noakes and Peter Purves. She was the longest-serving female presenter until 2008, when Konnie Huq took her crown. She left in 1972, but returned regularly for special assignments, including a safari in Kenya with Princess Anne (click here to see a clip from the episode) Photograph: PA
With a kindly twinkle in his eyes, Tony Hart created an oasis of unruffled calm in the midst of more energetic programmes, charming children into picking up their paintbrushes and exploring the world of art. Take Hart (1977-1983) and Hartbeat (1985-1994) are his most fondly remembered shows, both of which featured the “Gallery”, a showcase of the best work sent in by precocious fans. Hart’s grandfatherly style was counterbalanced by sidekicks such as Mr Bennett the janitor and Morph the orange Plasticine man with a knack for getting into scrapes. Click here to see a video of Tony Hart at work Photograph: BBC
Making dreams come true isn’t easy but week after week, from 1975 to 1994, Savile got the job done. Presenting Jim’ll Fix It transformed the Top of the Pops presenter into an unlikely champion of the young. Sending a letter to the show could lead to something as fabulous as touching a tarantula or meeting Abba, proving that any child’s wishes could be granted, however bizarre. Savile’s flat-vowelled Leeds accent and down-to-earth manner did much to put his guests at ease. For a time “Jim Fixed It For Me” medals, threaded with red ribbon, were priceless. How’s about that then? Click here to see a video of Jim fixing it for one little boy who loves biscuits Photograph: Nils Jorgensen/Rex Features
Taking kids through the square, round or arched windows to visit the world beyond, Trinidad-born Benjamin found fame presenting Play School in 1976. She reportedly found freedom from the racial stereotyping she had encountered as an actress in her new role, which saw her sing, dance, make toys and tell stories, providing gentle, fun, educational entertainment for pre-school children. She also played the character Reggae Rita in the spin-off Play Away alongside Brian Cant, Julie Stevens and Johnny Ball, introducing a young audience to black culture Photograph: Nils Jorgensen/Rex Features
Tall, gangly and just the right side of cool, Chris Tarrant was like a big kid himself when he took on ITV’s Saturday morning show Tiswas in 1974. He was a superb master of ceremonies who enjoyed teetering on the brink of chaos as he zipped around the studio, dodging the Phantom Flan Flinger’s cream pies and buckets of water. Tiswas aimed to create a fun, anarchic, ad-libbed vibe. Musicians and comedians flocked to the show, attracted by the carnival atmosphere, and their presence gave Tiswas cult status among students and attracted legions of younger fans. To see a clip of Tiswas click here Photograph: ITV/Rex Features
Bright, funny and a pro at talking to children without patronising them, Schofield was an ambitious twenty-something when he pitched the idea of the “Broom Cupboard”, a live segment to bridge the gap between different BBC children’s programmes. The segments first appeared on TV in 1985. Schofield shared the limelight with his tiny, squeaking partner-in-crime Gordon the Gopher and together they managed to turn even the worst technical cock-ups into entertaining TV. Their success saw them go on to present Going Live! on Saturday mornings with Sarah Greene. Schofield now presents This Morning. To see a video of Phillip celebrating his 25th birthday in the broom cupboard, click here Photograph: BBC
Two people, one fully functioning entertainment unit: Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly endeared themselves to the nation as actors on the drama series Byker Grove, where they met aged 13. But it was as the presenting team on ITV’s SM:TV Live and CD:UK with Cat Deeley, which started in 1998, that they truly came into their own. Drawing on the flying-by-the-seat-of-your-pants style popularised by Tiswas, they introduced madcap games such as “Wonkey Donkey” and the Friends spoof “Chums” which were the perfect foil for their ebullient, laddish banter that came from genuine friendship. Click here to see a clip of Wonkey Donkey Photograph: Ken McKay/Rex Features
“You opened my eyes to the birds and the bees,” sang the band Scouting for Girls in their 2007 ode to the BBC presenter, ”Michaela Strachan (You Broke My Heart)”. Her good looks, brilliant smile and infectious enthusiasm for all creatures great and small made her the unassailable object of teenage affections when she joined The Really Wild Show in 1993 . Though she didn’t actually know that much about wildlife when she started, she proved to have a gift for introducing children to the animal world without boring or frightening them, as well as a high tolerance for over-friendly ostriches and seals. To see a collection of bloopers from The Really Wild Show click here Photograph: Rex Features
Inspired by Phillip Schofield’s “Broom Cupboard” antics to enter the world of kids TV, Justin Fletcher is now ubiquitous on the CBeebies channel. His round, cartoonish face has an elastic quality that conveys expressions vividly, and he makes great use of slapstick and physical comedy. His shows include Something Special, which he presents using Makaton sign language for children with special needs, and Gigglebiz, in which he plays all the characters, from hapless superhero Captain Adorable to cheery pantomime dame Nana Knickerbocker. He won a Bafta in 2010, the first pre-school kids presenter to do so Photograph: Simon Duncan/BBC
Being born with part of her right arm missing put Cerrie Burnell at the centre of controversy when she started work as a presenter on CBeebies in 2009. Some people wrote in to complain that her disability scared younger viewers, but the majority of responses were positive, with parents welcoming the opportunity she gave them to talk about disability with their kids. Burnell is a engaging presenter in tune with the wide-eyed wonder at the world that young children have. Able to sing and dance – thanks to her theatre training – she leads a new breed of fresh-faced, multitalented television presenters Photograph: BBC
